Workshop Endorsements from Students

“This class has been an amazing experience for me. I feel blessed to have had this opportunity.” – Felicia Tomasko, LAYOGA Magazine staff

“The best workshop I’ve ever had – so informative, inspirational, interesting. Great dynamics. It gave me so much. I’m endlessly grateful for these precious teachings and for Ananda as their carrier. ” – Shant Prem, Kundalini Yoga teacher

“I honestly have no words to describe how fantastic the Thai Massage weekend with Ananda was. She is amazing. I definitely recommend her to anybody who’s interested in studying Thai massage.” – Kinga Demenyi, Metaphysics Student

“Ananda, it has been such a pleasure and joy seeing you again…. Thank you so much for sharing your Love and great knowledge of Thai massage with us…. You have re inspired my Thai massage practice…. thank you for your kindness.” – Dominique Fry, LMT

“Ananda Apfelbaum is a masterful educator of the art and science of Thai Massage. With clear communication, watchful eyes and a gentle yet firm approach, Ananda is able to impart this challenging system of bodywork and coach each student to their full potential. Her depth of knowledge and understanding in both the physical and spiritual aspects of Thai Massage, combined with her evident compassion for all makes her a remarkably effective teacher. I have been blessed by the opportunity to study both privately and in group workshops with Ananda and it was an honor to have been her student.” -Sharon Leahy, Artistic Director, Choreographer, Dancer, Rhythm in Shoes

“Ananda is the best massage teacher I have ever studied with and I have taken multiple trainings and courses over the past twenty years. She knows her material to the core. She is very organized in her presentation and she is a caring, compassionate teacher.” -Liz Gemme, LMT

“Ananda is a gifted teacher! She has shown exemplary care of her students. It’s an honor to receive her teaching. I feel so inspired by her beautiful spirit, which she has shared with me and my classmates. I am grateful to Ananda for really taking the precious time to truly care for us, and teach us. I am learning so much. What an exciting journey. I feel I have so much more to learn from Ananda and can’t wait for her advanced training coming up this summer!” -Mike Ryan, Raw Juice Master

“Even before I met Ananda, I could tell from our correspondence that she was filled with caring, kindness, and compassion. I have studied with her through Level 1, 2, and 3 and have enjoyed every minute of it. Ananda teaches from a place of love for every student and all beings. She imparts this to her students and therefore helps to create exceptional Thai massage therapists.” – Elyse Sparkes, Personal Trainer

“After having taken both level 1 and 2 from Ananda, I could only say that someone learning this healing modality from Ananda is just plain lucky. She has an incredible balance of dedication to Thai Yoga’s roots and history and modern adaptability. The courses are well paced and her method of showing how to perform each move and rotating clients throughout the workshops enables you to develop your sense of touch on different body types. I highly recommend the book as a resource for continued guidance after the course to be able to think through different ways to moderate the poses or work more deeply on one part of the body. After the class, I had much more body awareness for myself, as well as being able to share this gift with clients, friends and family.” – Hope Loraine Cotter, Executive Assistant

“One of the best investments I ever made.” – Andrea Zeledeon-Mussio, Holistic Health and Wellness Therapist

“It’s a blessing just to spend some time with this woman, and incredible to learn from her…if you’re interested in thai massage, these trainings are great.” – Leanna Henning, Yoga Instructor

“The world would be be so much happier if more people had a chance to learn how to do Thai yoga massage. Thanks to Ananda for sharing her practice with us! Ananda’s teaching is always inspiring.” – Dung Truong, Artist

“I feel very fortunate to have been Ananda’s student in the past and grateful to Ananda for being a wonderful teacher. I love that she doesn’t compromise and makes sure that everyone learns to the best of their ability. I love her passion and compassion and endless patience and focus and strength. She is a true teacher who has helped many get a skill to spread the goodness of Thai massage with loving kindness and compassion.” – Lana Dmitriev, LMT

“I’m still not sure what happened to me in NYC the last couple weekends at Ananda’s Thai Massage workshop, but I feel more loving and openness then I have ever felt….it has spilled over to my classroom, my family, and friends…they All see “something” different…” – Keith Carrick, PE teacher

“I just finished the prone and supine workshop and I’m not even sure where to begin as it was all an amazing and life changing experience. From the moment I walked into the calming space (a rarity in NYC) Ananda makes you feel so welcome. I had high expectations of this workshop and it far exceeded anything I could have ever imagined. I really looked into every Thai Yoga Massage training in NYC and am positive I found THE best teacher! Ananda makes learning easy through touch, demonstration, her words and repetition. She takes her time to explain each posture and answer all your questions. I’m so excited to incorporate Thai Yoga Massage with my personal training and yoga clients. THANK YOU! Ananda!” – Kalene Walsch, Yoga teacher and Personal Trainer

“I am so glad I took this training. It is so much more than I expected it to be.” – Danielle Zuccheri, RYT

“Ananda is gifted. She has a gentle approach to explain the techniques. She interacts with each student. During the workshop you will be able to work on Ananda. She will give you feedback. Also we all work on each other and give and receive feedback. The studio space is quiet which helps to focus and connect with Thai massage concepts and feeling.” – Claudia Hoermann, LMT

“Ananda is a superb teacher and we are lucky she makes her course affordable and accessible. She and her assistants are professional and use a highly effective pedagogy to ensure the material is thoroughly engrained. She builds in breaks and restorative relaxation so the long hours never feel tiring. Ananda is receptive to her students and aware of the participants’ needs at any given time. She balances the course with spiritual, cultural and physical learning and practice. I had been to Thailand multiple times and had had many Thai massages so I could appreciate the meaningful ways she created context about Thailand. The spacious, high-ceilinged studio in SoHo is a perfect setting for the course. I thought the course would result in enough material for a one hour massage but in fact we got three hours worth of material so I was thrilled! Ananda is not only my Thai massage teacher, she is my guide on how to live, eat, listen, heal and inspire. Everyone in my course was grateful because we were equipped with new abilities and our spiritual lives had been enhanced in the process. We could never have dreamed of such an outstanding experience. I highly recommend it.“ – Shauna Kelley, Actress, Thai Yoga Practitioner

“This is an excellent training for anyone interested in learning Thai massage. Ananda teaches from an authentic and traditional place. Her attention to detail is tireless and you will benefit greatly from her knowledge and commitment to this practice.“– Brandon McGregor

“I’d like to recommend Ananda’s workshops. The knowledge and experiences you will gain from her workshops will add richness to both your professional and personal life. They are something you won’t want to miss.“ – Lauren Ohmer, LMT, Dancer, Personal Trainer

“I took Ananda’s Thai Yoga training back in 2009, and eight years later I’m still using the many skills she taught me. Initially, I thought the training would simply help me as a yoga teacher (better hands-on adjustments for my students), but it opened me up to a whole new healing modality. I am a better yoga teacher and wellness practitioner for it, with a much clearer understanding of the body’s structure. Ananda’s workshop took place in a large, peaceful studio in SoHo. She is a wonderful teacher and she cultivated a really positive group dynamic (there were about 15 of us), always ending and beginning our classes with a bit of yoga and meditation as well as encouraging each of us to share our experiences throughout. It was a lot of information, but we all passed the training in the end, having successfully learned the Thai Yoga Bodywork sequence both from her and from each other (imagine a series of assisted stretches while you lie on a large floor mat in comfortable clothing or even PJ’s). I’d recommend both the Basic and Advanced levels of her training workshop–you will learn so much! And whether you are a yoga teacher, a massage therapist, or simply looking to possess a pair of healing hands for friends and family, the immersive experience will be invaluable. Thank you, Ananda! “ – Barbara Purcell, Fitness Trainer, Yoga Teacher

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Session Testimonials from Clients

“I search the city for the best bodyworkers, just as I do for the best urban sanctuaries. Simply put, no one offers better Thai massage in New York than Ananda. Her sessions are transformational.” – Allan Ishac, Author, New York’s 50 Best Places To Find Peace and Quiet

“Ananda combines the skills of a magician and a healer; come with aches and tension…leave feeling like you can tackle the world. Ananda transforms not only through her hands, but through her luminous spirit.”– Saskia Shakin, the Keynote Coach

“Ananda is a revolutionary body worker. I have received so much body work over the years and Ananda is perhaps the best of the best. So lucky to have found her.” – Jessicka Chamberlin, CEO

“Ananda is a phenomenal healer. She just happens to use Thai Yoga Massage as her main tool for healing. I went to her during a troubling time in my life and that stress caused tension in my chest and stagnant qi. Through numerous sessions she helped me restore my balance and happiness.”– Allen Wong, Data Architect at Millenium Management

“Ananda brings a rare combination of responsiveness, technique, strength, sensitivity, passion, and compassion to her approach to bodywork. She tunes in instantly to our stuck places, and then gently “stretches” us to let go. Her creative responsiveness to each person resonates like a musical composition designed to heal within. Her deep song of touch moves the energy to create space in which one can become new again.” – Dr. Beth Mount, Ph.D., President, Graphic Futures and Capacity Works

“I have had many massages, but Ananda’s Thai massages are in many amazing ways different and memorable. They are in the true sense, integrated mind and body work with a touch of spirituality.”– Dr. Birgit Rakel, MD, Jefferson Hospital

“Ananda has a healing heart, and is graced with the intuition needed to be a powerful Thai Massage practitioner. She goes above the call for therapeutic sessions of healing body work, to include useful information about further ways to heal. The herbal hot packs augmented the benefits from the session. The treatment environment is serene, and peaceful. Her clear energy and professional skills, contribute to a most wonderful way to relax, tune-up mind, body and spirit to a higher vibration, which she dedicates to her most excellent work.” – Suzanne Maxx, Founder/President, World Team Now

“Ananda has magic hands. I felt great after my session with her – more even and symmetrical.” – Allegra Romita, MA, RYT

“The minute I met Ananda – I loved her healing energy. She is truly gifted with her hands. I had the most amazing Thai Massage with her. She not only relaxed me – but stretched my body where it needed it! Go see her!” – Alicia Minshew, Actress

“Ananda’s healing touch immediately eased my chronic back pain that other therapists including chiropractors, cranial sacral therapists, and osteopathic physicians had not been able to heal. Since that one session with Ananda my back pain has not returned at all. She is a miracle worker!”– Elyse Sparkes, Personal Trainer

“I feel so much better after our session. I feel a million times different. It is like I’m a whole new person. I feel no pain at all. Thank you so so much for everything.– Khawla Sumait, Kuwait

“My body is laughing with awakening! I could feel the mindful intention of her touch.” – Asher Milgrom, C.E.O. American Medical Aesthetics

“Ananda has added a sense of soulfulness to the physical encounter.” – Dorit Horton

“Ananda truly has healing hands which is such a precious gift. I feel very lucky that I was able to have this experience. I can not thank her enough.” – Alice Jacobs

“I thank Ananda for her compassion, her touch, her smile.” – Pamela Gaither

“Everyone was right! Ananda is awesome.” – George Mandler

“Like meeting an angel.” – Kirk Cooper, Wealth Consultant

“Ananda’s work is fantastic.” – Michael Ash, Photo Agent

“This being my first Thai yoga massage I have to say I was very happy with my session with Ananda. I really enjoyed how thorough and attentive Ananda was with me. I was amazed how she shifted from gentle in one area to strong in the areas that needed a little extra work. The session left me feeling wonderful and I was riding the train home afterward feeling like everything was just “working” better. I slept great that night and 3 days later, I’m still feeling good. Ananda is really super nice and very calming which just added to the great experience. I fully recommend a Thai Yoga massage to anyone who just needs a good stretch or someone like myself who works all day on a computer. I think a session with Ananda is a wonderful introduction to Thai Yoga Massage.” -Tat Ho Yee, film editor

“Healing Hands, that’s how I describe Ananda’s amazing gift to heal the mind, body, and soul. Using integrative healing therapy approaches Ananda awakens the body-Spirit connection of her clients to facilitate their own natural healing process. My chronic muscular-skeletal condition improved as a result of working with Ananda. I strongly recommend her as a Thai Yoga Massage therapist!” – Dr. Jill M. Humphries, MPH, PhD, Educator

“My body was so grateful that the injuries were receiving healing attention. The massage felt incredible. Ananda really has such a gift – and the blanket, heating pad, mbira music, scents added so much as well.” – Kaia Wong, Mbira musician for Musicians on Call

“Receiving a Thai Yoga Massage from Ananda is such a blessing. I walked away pain free and emotionally calm. She has angelic hands that heal. She has an innate ability to read the body and know exactly what it needs. What a treat!!!” – Alejandra Arguindegui, RYT, Founder Casa Yoga

“David has been experiencing all sorts of awakenings since the massage with you last Thursday. He says that the massage pushed his body into deeper places which yoga had not touched. Needless to stay he is so happy and can’t wait for another session with you.” – Bryony Stroud Watson, Violinist and Yoga teacher

“Ananda is a true healer. I can not recommend her enough. Her experience with Thai massage goes beyond just the physical into true healing. She brings all of her peacefulness into both her Thai Massage trainings and her Thai massage sessions.” – Rogelio Zuniga, IT, Yoga teacher

“Ananda is a gifted and intuitive LMT who specializes in Thai Massage. She is traditionally trained in Chang Mai, Thailand and has authored a book/DVD on Thai Massage. She is incredibly knowledgeable about her field and incredibly attuned to her clients. She works from a sacred, magical and soothing studio environment. I have been both a client and student of Ananda and can say without hesitation, that she alone is worth a trip to NY!” – Anne Cairns, ESL teacher

“I have new feet, thanks to the detailed work of Ananda Apfelbaum’s perceptive and masterful hands. I wasn’t wanting to walk, never mind dance, due to pain in my feet and knee. Now, I am striding along painlessly, moving easily on my feet with my hips swinging. All due to Ananda’s careful work on my feet!” – Claudia Apfelbaum, MSW, LCSW

“Ananda is a wonderful Thai massage therapist and healer. She is strong, compassionate and intuitive. She has an ability to quickly target key places of tension and stress in the body and to gently coax blood flow and flexibility into those “stuck” places. A truly talented practitioner! In just a few sessions, she has helped me immeasurably!” – Elissa Weinstein, Writer, Teacher

Workshop Location

Workshop Location:

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NYS Massage License Number 004786-1

NCBTMB Provider Number 451263-10

Ananda Apfelbaum is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) as a continuing education Approved Provider and is also sponsored by NCBTMB to teach New York LMTs continuing education that is accepted by the state of New York for license renewal.

NCBTMB and NYS CEs available for all courses!

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Ananda Apfelbaum is approved by the Yoga Alliance as a
Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider.

YA CEs available for all courses!

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YA ID number 39954
Ananda Apfelbaum is approved by the Yoga Alliance
as an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher.